breaking the barrier
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- shatterFragment violently, suddenly
- overcomePrevail against difficulty
- transcendGo beyond limits
- sound barrierMach one transition zone
walls · limit · threshold · pushing · smashing · glass ceiling · pioneering · crossing · boundaries · resistance · milestone · leap · sonic boom · obstacle · hurdle · freedom · liberation · record-breaking
achievement vs. failure
breaking the barrierhitting the wall
Abrupt energy depletion
hitting a wall · falling short · crashing out · choking · giving up
progress vs. stagnation
breaking the barrierstagnating
Ceasing to develop
standing still · plateauing · spinning one's wheels · treading water · going nowhere